OTTAWA — The Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC) announced today the election of three new members to its board of directors — Melissa McAvoy, Shane O’Neill and Sandra Hines.
All three were elected to two-year terms by CRFC members at the organization’s annual general meeting held on Nov. 22.
McAvoy is chief financial officer at Pacific Tubulars Ltd., a position she has held since 2019, overseeing the accounting, business support, financial planning and analysis, treasury, investor relations, internal audit and tax functions within the company, a press release says. She was previously chief financial officer of Alberta software start-up Rafflebox Technologies.
She is a chartered professional accountant with a bachelor’s degree in commerce from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax.
“I have always been passionate about my community and I like to make sure I am able to give back. I know first hand what not-for-profits are up against, I understand how good governance can support success, and I love radio,” McAvoy said in the release.
O’Neill is a government relations and public affairs expert with a decade of experience in policy, politics and strategic engagement, according to the release. Before entering government relations, O’Neill was director of communications and constituency assistant to a member of Parliament.
Prior to that, he worked as a reporter and news anchor in Saskatchewan for the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, and also as an associate radio producer with CBC/Radio-Canada in Toronto. O’Neill has a bachelor’s degree from Carleton University and a diploma in journalism, broadcasting and electronic media from Durham College in Oshawa, Ont.
“Community radio is at the heart of a strong local news and information ecosystem in Canada. As the third pillar of our broadcasting sector, community broadcasters are an essential part of Canadian communities,” O’Neill said.
Hines is a designated accountant with a master’s degree in strategic financial management. She is currently the finance director at SeedChange, where she leverages her financial knowledge to drive development in local communities, the press release says.
She has previously provided financial guidance to organizations such as the Canadian Red Cross and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. She also has knowledge of the public broadcasting sector from her time at the UK government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which was responsible for the BBC World Service. In addition, she once served as a non-executive director for a community radio station in Croydon, England.
“In my life I have always felt passionately about music, arts, and how they support the community voice. I have worked closely with cultural champions and non-profit groups for much of my career, and I am excited to join the team at the Community Radio Fund,” Hines said. “It is exciting to be part of a bright future.”
Photos provided by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.
